Samoa aim to surpass previous efforts

The side failed to win a single match in 2012 after qualifying for Stage 2 of Oceania’s FIFA World Cup Qualifying pathway but the side’s new technical analyst Stuart Pyne is adamant things will be different this time around.“In the last competition no game was won and very few goals were scored, but many were conceded,” Pyne says.“Our expactations for this time are to go over and make sure that we put in a great deal of effort, so that we don’t have to go back to pre-qualification for this tournament in four years.”Last year Samoa beat out challenges from Tonga, Cook Islands and American Samoa to progress to the 2016 OFC Nations Cup and having already proven themselves worthy once, are keen to make an impression at the next level.“Our overseas-based players flew in on Sunday night, and at the moment we’re having up to two training sessions every day, one in the morning and after a recovery session in the pool, there is another training in the late afternoon to evening,” Pyne says.The New Zealand-based advisor says the coaching staff are doing everything possible to try and replicate the environment and conditions the team will face in Papua New Guinea.“The climate will not be a problem. The local boys are used to it,” he says of Papua New Guinea’s high temperatures and humidity.“Some of them have been a part of the team for a long time now and they have done extensive travel around the islands so they absolutely know what to expect.”Pyne says his role is very much as an advisor to coach Scott Easthope, who he has complete faith in.“If the players are matching the skills that Scott believes fit best for the national team’s playing philosophy, then they will participate in the OFC tournament.“That will certainly adjust depending on the team we will be playing against,” he explains.“Therefore, the starting eleven for the Tahiti game might not necessarily be the same as for the amtch against Papua New Guinea later in the competition.”Among the players vying for a starting spot is the “white shark”, Andrew Mobberley.The Australian-based midfielder has made three appearances for Samoa and has taken quite a fancy to pulling on Samoa’s national colours.“I know that for our team, every game will be tough. But I am pretty confident that if we do our best in the tournament we can be proud of ourselves.“Of course is is always an honour to play for our country so we want to do the best we can.”The Samoa side are in the final stages of their preparation for the 2016 OFC Nations Cup which gets underway at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on 28 May.For more on Samoa football go to www.footballsamoa.ws .